Fashion Week: BCBG Max Azria and Hervé Léger

Market Editor Carisha Swanson's roundup of what to look forward to for Spring 2013

By Carisha Swanson

Our hardworking group that included our photographer, editor, art director, intern, wardrobe stylist and hair and makeup team (straight from Noble Salon).

Photographs Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz

We were lucky enough to interview Max and Lubov Azria, owners and creative visionaries of the BCBGMAXAZRIA for the October issue of Greenwich magazine about their current fall collection. They provided us with hints about their spring line, but now that we've seen it live, we can give you the full report.

For spring silhouettes continued to be easy, with a return to a femininity with elements of lace, sheer paneling and lightweight leathers. Hemlines were kept demure, falling right below the knee, while the longer dresses maintained sex appeal with appropriately placed slits. My favorite part of the collection was how they used color blocking, one of their signatures, with patterns. In some cases, three patterns were used in the same garment to give it architectural interest. In order to add a little edge, they took elements of the leather harnesses from the fall 2012 Hervé Léger collection, and made these the primary accessory for the line.

The Hervé Léger collection was a couple of days later, and was what we expected, sexy, body-hugging, pieces. The unexpected was in the details. Intricate appliques, funky patterns, and geometric elements brought this well known, iconic bandage dress to a new, gladiator-esque level, thanks in part to the knife-pleated dresses that also graced the catwalk. While the color scheme was muted in earthy tones and cobalt blues, the impact was not. Swimwear was also a major element, taking a structural nod from the dress collection with fit and detailing.